Outreach projects

Music therapy in schools

The Centre currently has a number of outreach projects at schools.

1. Music Therapy for students in high schools

This music therapy-in-education project is funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) under its Quality Outcomes Program that focuses on working with students in high schools who are experiencing unsuccessful outcomes within the education system. It began in mid-2004 and will continue until the end of 2006.

Research has indicated that if the needs of students ‘at risk for educational failure’ are acknowledged and met adequately, the potential to succeed can be realized, resulting in adults with greater self-esteem and better work force qualifications.

Focusing on students that are experiencing unsuccessful outcomes within the education system may help reduce the magnitude of many social problems in the future. Music therapy can motivate academic growth. Literature indicates that skills and abilities learned through the discipline of music transfer to study skills, communication skills and cognitive skills. Music therapy in an educational setting contributes significantly to an individual’s learning capacity and is important in his or her motivation to learn.

Music therapy can also facilitate positive self-concept and improve self-esteem. It works with the relationship between learning and music by reflecting an awareness of self-perception, allowing subsequent growth and facilitating intrinsic change at many levels. Music therapy appears to be especially effective with adolescents because they already relate extensively to the music of their peer culture and it is a familiar medium to them. It can readily provide a common starting place for discussion and self-expression. The non-verbal aspect of music makes it an excellent resource for reaching people and facilitating self-expression through an alternate means of communication.

Evidence of exciting developments continue to be revealed in this project. Both qualitative and quantitative have shown tremendous positive outcomes.

2. Music Therapy to assist the social and academic development of students in primary schools

This music therapy-in-education project, funded in 2005 and 2006 by the NSW Government Area Assistance Scheme, aimed to provide music therapy in support of positive outcomes for students in schools. The program aimed to assist students in reaching their full potential, especially academically and socially. This project came to a close in mid 2006. It has shown successful outcomes both in assisting children academically and socially.

Thanks to a grant of $9,981 from the Coca-Cola Australia Foundation, Nordoff-Robbins has been able to continue working with children at Kingswood High and Kingswood Primary Schools for Terms 3 & 4 in 2006. A matching grant from the Matana Foundation for Young People will support this project in Terms 1 & 2, 2007.

Nordoff-Robbins gratefully acknowledges the enlightened support of these two Foundations in funding this music therapy project with primary and high school students in 2006-07.

3. Helping Children Through Music

With children, music therapy provides a unique variety of experiences in an intentional and developmentally appropriate manner to stimulate changes in a children’s behaviour and facilitate development of communication, emotional expression, sensory-motor skills, cognitive skills and social skills.

In 2006, Vodafone Australia Foundation is supporting the Centre’s outreach program at Mainsbridge Special School, providing financial assistance for a music therapist to conduct group sessions for the children for one day per week.

Music therapy in early intervention

When used in a therapeutic context, music can strengthen parent-child relationships through increasing interactions and assisting parents to bond with their children, and by extending the repertoire of parenting skills in relating to children through interactive play.

In 2006, through the financial support of the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation, the Centre has been able to provide music therapy for mothers and young children in settings such as Tresillian Family Care Centre, KU Starting Points – Penrith, and the NSW Department of Corrective Services, Emu Plains.

An interim evaluation of the project conducted in May 2006 showed positive outcomes on the value of music to strengthen the mother-child bond. A more extensive evaluation will be conducted at the end of the year.

As this project developed, a demand was detected from mothers in the local Penrith area, looking for regular music therapy sessions that they can attend with their young children. A project was therefore launched through the assistance of CDSE Clubs NSW, providing weekly music therapy sessions at the Golden Stave Music Therapy Centre.

Music therapy in aged care: supporting Older Australians

Combining the funding received from United Way, Sydney and the Aged Persons Welfare Foundation in 2006, the Centre has been able to provide music therapy for senior Australians from the community. This project aimed to address the needs of older adults who are socially or geographically isolated or are unable to access community services on their own in order to decrease isolation and encourage connection and socialisation.

The project began at the beginning of 2006 and will continue until the end of the year. To date, the project has been extremely successful. Nordoff-Robbins has partnered with the Sydney West Area Health Service (SWAHS) to bring two groups of older adults to the Centre for music therapy on a weekly basis, creating friendships and working with one another in music. New directions and goals continue to merge as relationships deepen.

Music therapy at The Children’s Hospital, Westmead

Funded by Prebon Yamane, now ICAP, since 2003, Nordoff-Robbins has a music therapist position within the Oncology Ward of the Children’s Hospital, Westmead, working with children with cancer. Currently two part-time music therapists are working with the children both individually and in group sessions.

Please see the September 2006 edition of 'MusicWorks!' for more information on this important program.